Energy / Automotive News Roundup; Baker Hughes Rig Count: U.S. +3 to 625 Canada -5 to 192
London, 02 December, 2023, (Oilandgaspress): – INEOS Aromatics announced its intention to mothball the smaller and older of two of its PTA (Purified Terephthalic Acid) units at its integrated PX and PTA production facility in Geel, Belgium.
This unit has been off-line since 2022 and a review of its long-term future has been pending for some time.
Despite the company’s best efforts to make the unit competitive, difficult market conditions have brought things to a head. An increase in energy, raw material and labour costs has made European production increasingly uncompetitive relative to exports from new PTA and derivative capacity commissioned in Asia.
PTA (or purified terephthalic acid) is an essential raw material for the manufacture of polyester PET, used principally to make textiles, fabrics and food and beverage packaging materials as well as many other items found in homes and businesses.
INEOS will now start a consultation process with the affected employees’ representatives to mitigate the impact of the plans, including where possible finding redeployment opportunities in other activities at the Geel site.
Customers will not be affected as both the PX unit and the second, larger PTA unit at the site, which is newer and more efficient, continues to operate. Read full article
INEOS Aromatics announced its intention to mothball the smaller and older of two of its PTA (Purified Terephthalic Acid) units at its integrated PX and PTA production facility in Geel, Belgium.
This unit has been off-line since 2022 and a review of its long-term future has been pending for some time.
Despite the company’s best efforts to make the unit competitive, difficult market conditions have brought things to a head. An increase in energy, raw material and labour costs has made European production increasingly uncompetitive relative to exports from new PTA and derivative capacity commissioned in Asia.
PTA (or purified terephthalic acid) is an essential raw material for the manufacture of polyester PET, used principally to make textiles, fabrics and food and beverage packaging materials as well as many other items found in homes and businesses.
INEOS will now start a consultation process with the affected employees’ representatives to mitigate the impact of the plans, including where possible finding redeployment opportunities in other activities at the Geel site.
Customers will not be affected as both the PX unit and the second, larger PTA unit at the site, which is newer and more efficient, continues to operate. Read full article
Just Stop Oil supporters are coming to the end of their fifth week marching to the point of arrest. They are demanding that the UK government immediately halt all future licences and consents for fossil fuel exploration in the UK. At around 12:30 pm today, a group of seven Just Stop Oil supporters, including a group of medics, began marching on the pavement from Trafalgar Square towards Parliament Square. The group entered the road at Parliament Square and all were arrested by 12:55 pm.
Just Stop Oil’s fundraiser is currently taking off, and until 10am on the 3rd of December all donations to the fund will be doubled by a group of generous donors, including Chris Packham. Read full article
Iberdrola and bp pulse proudly announce the formal launch of their joint venture that recently received regulatory authorizations. The new company plans to create the most extensive high speed public charging network in Iberia. The aim is to promote access for all citizens to a reliable, high-speed charging infrastructure and thus helping to remove one of the main barriers to the adoption of electric vehicles.
The new company, formed by Iberdrola and bp pulse, plans to invest €1 billion with aims to deploy 5,000 charge points by 2025 and 11,700 by 2030, powered by 100% renewable energy through use of guarantee of origin certificates. The company already has over 300 operational fast (>50kW) and ultra-fast (>150kW) EV charge points.
Headquartered independently in Madrid and Oporto, the new company will be led by Pablo Pirles from Iberdrola, who has been appointed CEO and Elena Melia from bp, who is to be appointed CFO. Iberdrola offers comprehensive mobility services to cover all the needs of electric vehicle users with an extensive charging infrastructure: residential, business and public charging, including solutions for urban and heavy transport. Read full article
The Green Car Journal magazine has awarded the Alfa Romeo Tonale the coveted title of 2024 Green SUV of the Year™. The Tonale is Alfa Romeo’s first C-SUV, available with Plug-In Hybrid technology and standard Q4 all-wheel-drive, specifically designed to ensure maximum traction and safety. Green Car Journal editors appreciated Tonale’s Italian style, driving dynamics, functionality and high-tech interior.
“Alfa Romeo’s Tonale offers an exciting and sporty way of driving an electric vehicle,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and GreenCarJournal.com. “For the first 49 miles you’re driving a stylish and iconic Italian electric vehicle with zero emissions. Beyond that, if the day’s needs call for going further, the Plug-In Q4 hybrid powertrain has an overall driving range of more than 372 miles and delivers a fulfilling journey without worrying about needing a charge.”
The Alfa Romeo Tonale is the most efficient Plug-In Hybrid Q4 C-SUV in the segment. The advanced powertrain system uses the 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission, providing traction to the front wheels.
Its efficiency and performance are also bolstered and ensured in electric mode by a 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery that drives an electric motor with a peak power output of 90 kW and torque of 250 Nm. The total output is the best in its class: 280 horsepower. Read full article
Lancia Pu+Ra HPE, the brand manifesto for the next 10 years, has been named “Best Concept Car of the Year” by the Car and Driver Spain jury, the international automotive publication with the widest readership in Spain.
“Car and Driver Awards” competition has awarded one of its most prestigious prizes to the 100% electric concept car that embodies the vision of the Lancia brand in terms of design, interior home feeling, sustainability, electrification and effortless technology.
The jury recognized the Italian excellence design in a so original, cutting-edge model with a distinctive personality. Lancia Pu+Ra HPE perfectly reflects the legacy of a legendary brand, whose Renaissance has been warmly welcomed by the readers and followers of the Spanish magazine.
The “Car and Driver Awards” ceremony took place in Madrid, attended by Borja Sekulits, Premium Cluster Director in Iberia. Read full article
Hyundai Motor America reported best-ever total November sales of 70,079 units, an 11% increase compared with November 2022. This is the 16th month in a row Hyundai has seen increases in total sales. Hyundai set total sales records in November for IONIQ 5 (+99%), Santa Fe (+6%), Santa Fe HEV (+236%), Tucson (+36%) Tucson PHEV (+532%) and Palisade (+59%). All-time total sales records were set for Tucson and Santa Fe HEV.
“We’re very pleased with the strong sales and steadfast support from our retail partners, leading us to a 16th consecutive month of increased total sales,” said Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “This exceptional performance extends across our entire brand, with notable strength in our line-up of SUVs, a significant driver of our continued success.”
November Retail Highlights
Hyundai sold 58,027 retail units in November, a 3% year-over-year increase from November 2022. November retail sales were led by IONIQ 5, Santa Fe HEV, Tucson, Palisade and Kona. Hyundai eco-friendly vehicle sales of 10,695 represented a 42% year-over-year increase. SUVs represented 82% of the retail sales mix.
November Total Sales Summary
| Nov-23 | Nov-22 | % Chg | 2023 YTD | 2022 YTD | % Chg | |
| Hyundai | 70,079 | 63,305 | +11% | 726,031 | 652,207 | +11% |
A unique global relay, marking 20 years of the Continental GT, has reached its conclusion with the arrival in Crewe of the specially-made 20th anniversary baton. The baton’s lap of the world included stops in Europe, the Middle East, China, Asia Pacific, the US and UK, visiting 20 journalists and content creators in the process as part of 20 memorable drives – one for each year of Continental GT production.
The launch of the first-generation Continental GT in 2003 marked a seismic change in the fortunes of Bentley Motors. The first all-new Bentley of the modern era, the first with all-wheel drive and the first to feature the innovative W12 engine, the Continental GT swiftly propelled Bentley to its current status as the most sought-after luxury car brand in the world. Read full article
Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) announced Tim Hollander has been promoted to president of Toyota Indiana effective this month.
Since joining Toyota in 1998, Hollander has held leadership positions in production control, manufacturing, and administration at both Toyota Indiana and Toyota West Virginia. In 2017, Hollander was promoted to vice president of administration at the Princeton, Indiana plant, and most recently served as vice president of manufacturing.
Hollander serves on several boards, including Indiana Manufacturers Association, Evansville Regional Economic Partnership, and the Southwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. Read More
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